The Speaker of the House of Commons has branded English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson a "loathsome, obnoxious, repellant individual".

The comments were made after Stewart Malcolm McDonald MP raised concerns during a Commons meeting about Mr Robinson being invited to the House of Lords for lunch on Tuesday, hosted by UKIP leader Gerard Batten and peer Lord Pearson.

Mr McDonald claimed that Robinson - real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - should "not be invited to walk amongst us on the Parliamentary estate", and that his invitation to the House of Lords "crosses a line".

He accused Robinson of "stirring up racial hatred" and committing "thuggish crimes".

'The future belongs to us'

Robinson attended the House of Lords after his most recent court appearance.

He currently faces allegations he breached Section 4(2) of the 1981 Contempt of Court Act by making a broadcast that "gave rise to a substantial risk that serious prejudice would be caused to a trial taking place at Leeds Crown Court".

Robinson posted a picture of himself with Mr Batten and Lord Pearson outside Parliament with the caption: "Thank you to you all. The future belongs to us."